IV. MUSHROOMS 



Material. — Umbrella mushrooms or toadstools brought by the pupils 

 themselves, if possible. Look for them in pastures and lawns after a 

 rain, on decaying stumps and trees, in woods, and along the edges of 

 swamps. Get a variety, so as to compare the different kinds. 



Some mushrooms are deadly poison if eaten. So 

 no pupil should taste any mushroom in the field 

 or schoolroom , but all mushrooms may safely be 

 handled. 



Observation. — How many inches tall is the mush- 

 room that you are studying ? What is its shape ? 

 What is its odor ? What is its color ? How does it 

 feel to the touch? How was it fastened to the 

 ground ? 



How many inches across is the top part of the 

 mushroom ? Notice its skin ; can you easily peel it 

 off ? How thick is it ? 



Notice the folds or gills on the under side of the 

 top part. How many are they? What is their 

 shape ? What is their color ? 



Break the stem in two. Is it soft, or firm and 

 stringy ? Is it hollow ? Do you find any worms 

 inside ? 



Drawing. — Draw a picture of the mushroom, 

 showing it tilted a little away from you, so that some 



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